Greatest Scientist of the 17th Century

The 17th century witnessed major changes in the field of science and philosophy. Because before the beginning of the 17th century, scientists and scientific studies were not really recognized. But in the middle of the 17th century, newly invented machines began to emerge and it slowly became part of the people’s daily and economic life. And by the end of the century, the scientific revolution had taken hold and it established itself as a society-shaping force. But none of it would be possible without the smart and curious minds of the greatest scientists of the 17th century.

1. Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton

A world-renowned mathematician, astronomer, physicist, and alchemist, Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the greatest and most influential scientist of all time. One of his greatest works is the development of modern physics which he wrote in his book “Philosophiae, Naturalis, Principia Mathematica”. His book tackled about the concepts of universal gravitation and laws of motion. He also developed the theory of color in which he stated that color is an intrinsic property of light and when its refracted, transmitted, or scattered, it can be decomposed into numerous colors.

2. Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal

Blaise Pascal was a French physicist and mathematician who formed the foundation for the modern theory of probabilities. He was the son of a talented mathematician and he grew in an intellectually stimulating environment. That’s why he showed signs of intelligence at an early age. When he was only sixteen years old, he wrote a noteworthy treatise about projective geometry. He also began building calculating machines during his teenage years because he wanted to help his father in calculating taxes.

3. Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke

Robert Hooke was an English polymath, scientist, and architect. He is known for the major contributions he made to science using his theoretical and experimental work he did in the 17th century and in re-building London after the Great Fire. He also built a compound microscope and used it for his work to observe the smallest and hidden details of the world.

4. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek was a famous scientist who pioneered research works and helped the emergence of microbiology. That’s why he is also known as the “Father of Microbiology”. But his scientific research happened to be a mere coincidence. Antonie was a businessman who started his own linen business. And during his search for a high-quality magnifying lens which he will use for inspection of the threads used in the linen, he ended up creating a lens that can magnify up to 500 times. From there, Antonie used his lens to make several significant discoveries that led to the evolution of microbiology.

5. Robert Boyle

Robert Boyle

Boyle was an Anglo-Irish chemist, physicist, and philosopher who helped develop the modern experimental scientific method. He also made several significant contributions in the field of medicine, natural history, earth sciences, physics, and chemistry.

6. Christiaan Huygens

Christiaan Huygens

Huygen’s discoveries played an important role in the most incredible discoveries in physics, astronomy, and math. He is known for a lot of significant discoveries in science like the centrifugal force, pendulum clock, wave theory, and the explanation of Saturn’s rings.

7. Edmond Halley

Edmond Halley

Edmond Halle was a mathematician and astronomer he is popular for his calculation of the orbit of Halley’s Comet. He also recordedtransit of Mercury and figured out that it has the same transit as Venus which helped him realize that it could be used to determine the size of the solar system.

8. Pierre de Fermat

Pierre de Fermat

Pierre de Fermat was a French mathematician who made contributions in the development of infinitesimal calculus. He is also known for the Fermat’s difference quotient method, Fermat’s theorem, and Folium of Descartes.

9. Evangelista Torricelli

Evangelista Torricelli

He was a well-known Italian physicist and mathematician. He is known for his invention of the mercury barometer which helped solve the problem of raising the water level by using a suction pump. He also discovered the Torricelli’s law of fluid dynamics, Torricelli’s trumpet, and the foundation of integral calculus.

10. Giovanni Domenico Cassini

Giovanni Domenico Cassini

Cassini was an Italian astrologer, astronomer, and mathematician. He is famous for discovering the four moons of Saturn. He’s also the first person to observe that Saturn’s rings have divisions which was later named the Cassini division. Getting a free tarot reading with psychicguild will help you know how tarot cards are used to study your astrological or zodiac signs.